Neighbours have spoken out after news the Home Office has taken over a four-star hotel off the M1 with asylum seekers set to move in. It's understood the Novotel Nottingham Derby, in Long Eaton, is now operating under Government regime.
Local jobs are at risk under the change at the hotel, located at junction 25 of the motorway. The proposals are thought to affect more than 20 people in the company - and staff were informed by the general manager.
People living nearby spoke of the importance of providing a roof over the heads of some of the most vulnerable people in society. Kate Smith, 52, a business network franchising owner, told Derbyshire Live said: "We are quite happy as long as people have somewhere to stay. We also do try and help people like that, some people we know have done care packages for asylum seekers living in other hotels which is really nice.
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"I really do feel for them [the asylum seekers] and they're here because of a situation that's out of their control. The hotel takeover will impact us too because we used to use the hotel for our training days as part of our business, but I don't think we can do that anymore. But we will work around that."
The Novotel, which is surrounded by trees, and based a short walk from the Sandiacre Interchange of the A52, backs onto a number of homes in Sandiacre.
Other residents backed the takeover. One resident, who asked not to be named, said: "We can't see what's going on there anyway, I have no problem at all with it going ahead," said one. Another couple living opposite the Novotel, who didn't wish to be named, added: "I suppose people need a home, I don't really have a problem with it, to be honest."
But Alan Cockcroft, a 67-year-old pensioner, said: "I'm not happy about it and that's it really. If it stayed as a hotel then people won't lose their jobs it's as simple as that."
It comes after a letter was sent to staff by the hotel's general manager, in which they were informed of the Home Office takeover, and that it would affect jobs considerably, with workers at risk of redundancy.
The Novotel seemed quiet on the morning of Wednesday, October 19, which is understood to be the first day of the takeover. Only a few cars were in the car park, and a number of people were seen entering and leaving the building.
In a letter, staff were told: "The board of directors have made the decision to contract the hotel for the purpose of government use only. This means the Home Office have exclusive use of the hotel effective from October 19. The restaurant and kitchen will be closing as the company contracted to oversee the occupancy will be bringing in their own catering company to provide breakfast, lunch and dinner."
The statement of reason also detailed what staff can expect over the coming days. Addressing whether staff would be expected to work, it said: "You will be advised if you are required to attend work. You may be asked to assist housekeeping and management in making the hotel ready for the arrivals on Wednesday.
"If you are advised to remain at home, you will be paid however you should be available to work and attend meetings when asked to do so. Please note front-of-house will be working as normal."
Elsewhere, asylum seekers have also been housed at the Britannia Hotel in Maid Marian Way, in Nottingham city centre, and the Burrows Court apartment block in Sneinton. The Home Office is working to find emergency accommodation after more than 35,000 migrants crossed the channel by dinghy this year.
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